Future Chefs of America Competition was held at Olivet Elementary School in Pittsgrove with three fifth graders participating, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Darryn Jackson sprinkles more ingredients to his salad "The Amazingest Salad". (Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner/South Jersey Times)

PITTSGROVE TWP. — Young chefs dressed in their apron and cooking hat lined up preparing their own creative healthy salads during a cook-off competition Wednesday night.

Three students from Olivet Elementary School went head to head during the first Future Chefs of America event in their school cafeteria.

Chosen from 25 submitted salad recipes from fifth-grade students, the three students created their salad recipes and gave a brief presentation before three judges.

“We gave them this idea and we are trying to implement healthy eating at a young age,” said coordinator for the cook-off Joseph Olivieri, also the general manager of the school district food service.

Each young chef was matched up with a leader, a staff member in the school district, to help them safely create their salads and promote healthy eating.

“Eat healthy so you can stay healthy, and put everything into portions,” Abby Miller, 10, said about salads.

Abby added that she chose her spring mix salad because of the “good” foods mixed in — spinach, nuts, and fruit.

The students were graded from 1 to 5 in categories including: Health conscious foods, kid friendly preparation, fun foods, and best presentation.

School officials and the mayor of Pittsgrove Township acted as judges, carefully tasting and admiring each salad.

“I learned how to cut the fruit. You can be strong and live longer and be healthy,” Ashley Foster, 11, said as she prepared her fruit salad.

Parents and school staff were present to cheer on the young chefs.

Olivet cook offFifth-grade students of Olivet Elementary School go head to head in a salad cook-off competition in Pittsgrove Township.

Darryn Jackson, 10, showed off his salad explaining how he cut the cucumbers into hearts.

“It has egg bits in it, bacon bits, heart shaped cucumbers. My mom taught me how to eat healthy, you will grow and will be healthier,” Darryn said.

Delicately laid out on decorated tables, each student stood behind their final product, answered questions from the judges, and distributed samples.

After a tough deliberation, judges filed in announcing the winner of the competition.

Olivieri commended the three chefs, telling them they were all winners before announcing the competition victory of Darryn.

All smiles, Darryn received an iPod touch and had his picture taken. Darryn smiled and said he was really happy he won.

Also receiving a prize for participating was Abby and Ashley who each received a gift card.

While this was a first for the elementary school, Olivieri said he hopes to make it an annual tradition.